Whenever we talk about food, hunger, and/or nourishing the body it’s also important to remember that we all often eat for various reasons that extend way beyond hunger.

We can be driven/influenced by a wide range of psychological, social, and environmental factors…

1. Emotional Eating:

Eating in response to emotions such as stress, boredom, sadness, or anxiety is really common. Food can provide comfort and temporary relief from negative & overwhelming emotions . Eating during these times gives us something to do, & when we eat we feel good in the moment!

2. Social Influences:

So many social occasions are linked to certain food choices: cinema & popcorn, seaside & fish & chips, Hull fair & brandy snap! 

3. Environmental Cues:

Availability and visibility of food can trigger eating. This leads to eating something ‘because it’s there’. Eg snacks in the workplace or picking at your kids leftovers. 

4.Habitual Eating:

Routine and habits can drive eating behaviors. For example, snacking whilst watching TV or automatically thinking about eating pudding after dinner regardless of hunger or appetite. 

5.Cultural and Traditions:

Cultural practices and traditions are, more than often, centered around food, leading people to eat as part of a cultural ritual or holiday celebration. Birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day, Anniversaries, New Job, the list goes on!

Understanding these various factors can help you to become more aware of your own individual eating habits & choices.

Tristan ‘hungry’ Buttle